NEW PRODUCTS:
UNOAKED WINES TO THE RESCUE. Alternatives whites anyone? Following on the heels of the current oak-free chardonnay trend, Tangent Winery has taken it just a step further. Launched seven months ago, the winery focuses exclusively on “alternative white wines,” according to Wine Business Online. The wines, which steer clear of oak barrels and malo-lactic fermentations, are topped with screwcaps and include just about every white wine under the sky – except for chardonnay.
The inaugural release of Tangent wines was a combined 10,000 cases including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Albariño, Pinot Blanc, and Ecclestone, a blend of six white wines. The recommended prices range from $13 to $20 per bottle, and the wines are available in 29 states.
John Niven, one of the founders along with Michael Blaney, said, “We look at this as life beyond Chardonnay.”
WHO’S DRINKING UNOAKED, ANYWAY? Chardonnay is already the top selling varietal by volume, but a survey released in October suggests there is a virtually untapped opportunity in the unoaked category. While 31% of respondents listed chardonnay as their favorite wine, it seems that U.S. consumers might prefer a less oaky flavor, according to a questionnaire by Wine Opinions quarterly Core Track Report.
Over half (59%) of the 2,250 wine drinkers in the U.S. claim that have either seen or are familiar with chardonnays containing less or no oak flavors. Out of the respondents, 78% have tasted or purchased the Australian-style wine.
Historically, chardonnay has always been aged in oak barrels, but Christian Miller, the Research Director of Wine Opinions claims the “wine consumer market is fracturing when it comes to a taste for oak in chardonnay."
The survey found that most consumers accept both styles, but members of the industry tend to have a higher acceptance for the non-oaked range.
And for those 41% of regular wine drinkers who said they have not seen or heard of the wine style, only 11% said they were either “not very” or “not at all” interested in samplying it. In fact, 60% claimed they were either “somewhat” or “very” interested in the oak-free style.
PATERNO JOINS WITH SOUTH AFRICA. Luxury wine company Paterno Wines International has struck a long-term marketing agreement with South African wine producers Jean Engelbrecht and Ernie Els, adding five premium SA brands to its portfolio.
The series includes Rust en Vrede, Ernie Els Wines, Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, Cirrus and Guardian Peak – all of premium red varieties.
The inaugural release of Tangent wines was a combined 10,000 cases including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Albariño, Pinot Blanc, and Ecclestone, a blend of six white wines. The recommended prices range from $13 to $20 per bottle, and the wines are available in 29 states.
John Niven, one of the founders along with Michael Blaney, said, “We look at this as life beyond Chardonnay.”
WHO’S DRINKING UNOAKED, ANYWAY? Chardonnay is already the top selling varietal by volume, but a survey released in October suggests there is a virtually untapped opportunity in the unoaked category. While 31% of respondents listed chardonnay as their favorite wine, it seems that U.S. consumers might prefer a less oaky flavor, according to a questionnaire by Wine Opinions quarterly Core Track Report.
Over half (59%) of the 2,250 wine drinkers in the U.S. claim that have either seen or are familiar with chardonnays containing less or no oak flavors. Out of the respondents, 78% have tasted or purchased the Australian-style wine.
Historically, chardonnay has always been aged in oak barrels, but Christian Miller, the Research Director of Wine Opinions claims the “wine consumer market is fracturing when it comes to a taste for oak in chardonnay."
The survey found that most consumers accept both styles, but members of the industry tend to have a higher acceptance for the non-oaked range.
And for those 41% of regular wine drinkers who said they have not seen or heard of the wine style, only 11% said they were either “not very” or “not at all” interested in samplying it. In fact, 60% claimed they were either “somewhat” or “very” interested in the oak-free style.
PATERNO JOINS WITH SOUTH AFRICA. Luxury wine company Paterno Wines International has struck a long-term marketing agreement with South African wine producers Jean Engelbrecht and Ernie Els, adding five premium SA brands to its portfolio.
The series includes Rust en Vrede, Ernie Els Wines, Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, Cirrus and Guardian Peak – all of premium red varieties.
posted at 1:29 PM
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